Are You Suffering from Minor Blues or Major Depression: How to tell the difference

We all pass through difficult moments or maybe even difficult weeks or months. Life seems just a little too heavy to bear. A divorce or break up, a lost job, the death of a loved one can send you to that dark island of despair. You can’t seem to get back on track. Each day is like walking through quicksand. But at what point should you be concerned and start to call what you are feeling depression? How can you tell the difference between being down and having major depression? When would it be best to contact us at Evanston Counseling to speak with one of our compassionate therapists? Read on to find out more.

Being down vs. major depression

Well, let’s start by saying that you can tell the difference in the frequency and severity of your behaviors. A workable definition for depression is

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by profound feelings of sadness, isolation, hopelessness, or emptiness.

If you notice more of the following symptoms, showing up most of your day, most days of the week, you probably are experiencing depression. We’re not talking about a one-and-done; the circumstances of life are temporarily squeezing you. We’re referring to recurring episodes over time like what we’ve listed here.

Perhaps you have…

• Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports
• Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
• Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
• Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
• Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
• Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
• Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
• Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
• Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

Therapists refer to this mixture of symptoms as “major depressive disorder” or “major depression.”

What are the risk factors for depression?

Webmd.com lists these risk factors for major depression:

• Genetics
• Death or loss
• Conflict
• Abuse
• Major life events
• Illnesses like chronic pain, anxiety, ADHD,
• Medications
• Life problems like social isolation

Women seem to be at greater risk than men. The hormonal shifts we experience during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, miscarriage, and menopause may be responsible for emotional weightiness.

Be aware. Even things we consider positive changes (i.e., landing that perfect job, completing your degree, or marrying the love of your life) can trigger depression. A gap between your expectations and the reality you are living might slide you into persistent negative thoughts and behaviors.

If you misuse substances like drugs or alcohol, you may be at greater risk of developing depression. You might also turn to these substances to dull the ache of your heavy circumstances.

You might be wondering. What causes someone to lose the joy of being with their favorite people or doing a preferred activity and sink into depression?

What causes depression?

Well-meaning friends and family may comment to you, “Just get over what you’re sad about.” If it were that easy you’d feel better by now, right? What they might not understand is there are several factors at play that might cause you to have overwhelming sadness and depression. In this article by the Cleveland Clinic, they offer the following causes for depression.

• Brain chemistry
• Genetics
• Life events
• Medical conditions
• Medication
• Personality

An imbalance in your brain chemicals could contribute to depression. If a relative has suffered from depression, you might also be at a greater risk for developing it. The overwhelming feelings connected with the birth of a child, the death of a parent, a job loss, or a cross-country move, could trigger deep, persisting sadness associated with depression. If you have chronic pain or are dealing with a disease like cancer or Parkinson’s could lead to depression.

Several prescription or non-prescription/recreational drugs can send you into the despair of depression. If you feel that positive and negative life events can easily take you under, you might be prone to depression.

Here is a little good news. Many of us who face the challenges of depression can find help in one or a combination of treatment options.

What to do about depression: Top Three Treatment Options

Evanston Counseling Recommended Options for Depression #1: Therapy

Each of our understanding therapists is here to offer their time, heart, and professional expertise to walk with you through the depression.

Our therapists will spend time getting to know you and how you best respond to therapeutic strategies. They will share with you that their counseling experience and research show that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is effective in working through depression.

CBT is a form of talk therapy. It helps you to shift your thinking and behavioral patterns. Changes you make will help you have more productive and positive thoughts that will lead you to claim back more joy in your life over time. If you want to find out more about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy check out this post.

Evanston Counseling Recommended Options for Depression #2: Medication

We may determine together that you are dealing with major depression. We’ll suggest you visit the psychiatrist who works closely with us at Evanston Counseling.

Psychiatrists (or your primary care physician) can prescribe medications that complement the therapy you are doing with us. You might see some of your symptoms lighten as you engage in therapy and take the medications.

Evanston Counseling Recommended Options for Depression #3: Behavioral Changes and New Activities

Some lifestyle changes could help to alleviate the heaviness of depression.

Adopting healthy eating habits and committing to movement and exercise could help to lighten your mood. You can check out this article to see how a diet rich in omega-3 may help to improve your depression.

As we’ve mentioned in other blogs, movement reduces stress levels, and improves your mood and sleeping.

Since tiredness can make your depression worse, you’ll want to establish the best sleeping patterns possible. Hopefully, you’ll be able to skip past waking in the middle of the night with a mind that just won’t calm down. Practicing meditation can also help to quiet the mind, which limits some of the anxiety you feel as you manage your depression.

We want you to remember that you are never in this alone. Our therapists are available to meet with you, answer your questions and to determine with you a way forward less weighed down by depression.

If you’re feeling depressed and heavy about managing life every day, call us at (773) 983-8444 for a free, 15-minute phone conversation with one of our Evanston Therapists. We will listen and direct you to the right person to help you with depression. Or you can schedule a time to chat with us here to learn the difference between the blues and major depression. We’ll be happy to work with you to help you find the joy of life again.